​New report shows inadequate care for people with dementia

People with dementia in Scotland aren’t getting the care or attention they need, according to a new report.

Marie Curie said symptoms were all too often dismissed as part of the ageing process.

The charity is now calling on the Scottish Government to collect data in order to get a clear national picture of how care is being delivered.

Healthcare professionals fail to recognise dementia as a terminal condition and just 20% of those with possible dementia are identified as requiring palliative care compared to 75% of those with cancer, says the report.

Marie Curie provides free care for people with terminal illness in their own homes and in its nine UK hospices.

Over 88,000 people in Scotland have dementia and an ageing population means the figure is expected to double by 2031, according to the charity.

Richard Meade, head of policy in Scotland, said: "Many people with dementia who are coming to the end of their lives do not get the care that they need.

We cannot see a clear picture of what end-of-life care looks like for someone with dementia

"People dying with dementia have very specific and different needs to those with other conditions, such as cancer.

"The Scottish Government and its partners have made important progress with the first two dementia strategies but there remain a number of barriers that are preventing patients from getting the support that they need.

"Ensuring that all people at the end of life that need palliative care get it, regardless of their diagnosis, must be a priority.

"Unfortunately we cannot see a clear picture of what end-of-life care looks like for someone with dementia as there is no readily available national or local data.

"We urge the Scottish Government to collect and publish robust data to monitor and improve care."